BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Gus Malzahn doesn't sound optimistic that the NCAA will give Mike Dyer a waiver to play this season at Arkansas State after transferring from Auburn.

"As of right now, he still will have to sit out a year, and that will probably be what it'll end up," Malzahn said Monday morning on the Smash Mouth Radio Network with me and Scott Griffin on 97.3 The Zone in Birmingham.

Dyer, who became the first Auburn player to rush for more than 1,000 yards as a freshman and a sophomore, transferred to Arkansas State after he was suspended for the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Virginia and Malzahn was named the Arkansas State head coach.

Dyer, who's from Little Rock, Ark., would need an NCAA waiver to allow him to play this season. Transfers from one Football Bowl Subdivision school to another must sit out a season barring extenuating circumstances, such as an illness in the family.

Whether he plays this season for the Red Wolves or not, Dyer will be eligible to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. Malzahn said he doesn't expect Dyer to turn pro next year.

"I really expect him to play (at Arkansas State in 2013)," Malzahn said. "He likes college football. He does have a goal to play at the next level, but he likes it here. He's closer to home. We're probably an hour and 45 minutes from Little Rock. He likes it here, he likes his teammates and I really expect him to be on the field (in 2013)."

Malzahn said Dyer "had a good spring" with the Red Wolves.

"He kinda showed the other running backs the little details to our offense, the blocking schemes up front," Malzahn said. "He provided a lot of wisdom for these young running backs we have here."

Malzahn said that Dyer has grown up since his time at Auburn. The running back admitted, as a witness during the armed robbery trial of former teammate Antonio Goodwin, that he smoked both marijuana and synthetic marijuana while at Auburn.

"Like he admitted, he made some mistakes, and he's gonna try to be better because of that," Malzahn said. "He's more mature now, and we really expect him to do well here."

What does Malzahn think of Auburn coach Gene Chizik switching to more of a pro-style offense since Malzahn's departure?

"To be honest with you, I'm not for sure what they're doing, but Gene Chizik is one of the best head coaches in the country," Malzahn said. "I know that whatever plan he comes up with will be successful."